Paul F. Witkowski, retired restaurant owner, dies.

Paul F. Witkowski, who owned the Hobnail Restaurant in West Seneca, died Monday in Erie County Medical Center after a long illness. He was 73.

Born in Buffalo, he lived most his life in West Seneca and Elma. He was a 1956 graduate of West Seneca West High School. He went on to work for S.M. Flickinger Co. in various capacities before opening his own restaurant in 1961. At 22 years old, Mr. Witkowski was, according to his family, the youngest person in Erie County to have obtained a state liquor license at that time.

In 1965, he married Jean Resavage, with whom he operated the Hobnail Restaurant until his retirement in 1989 at age 50. During his retirement, Mr. Witkowski pursued his interests in boating, photography, and golfing at Gowanda Country Club. He used his talents in woodworking and construction to build his own home in 1983.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Paul E., and a brother, Francis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 6441 Seneca St., Spring Brook.